New USM Chancellor Back On Familiar Ground

Credit: WBAL-TV's Tim Tooten
Robert Caret (right) with now former Chancellor Britt Kerwan at a meeting in December.

He has been the Chancellor of the University System of Maryland for a few weeks, but Robert Caret is no stranger to Maryland.

Caret spent 25 years at Towson University, one of the 12 universities in the system, and spent eight years as its president ending in 2011.

On July 1, the former president of the University of Massachusetts became the new chancellor replacing Britt Kerwan who retired.

Caret told Maryland's News This Week he sees increasing graduation rates as one of his main objectives.

He says the student completion initiative is part of a nationwide effort among college officials.

Caret notes that Maryland generally has supported higher education,even though this year funding was cut by $40-million leading some schools to raise tuition.

Caret says the universities have an obligation to hold down costs where necessary, but costs are rising as enrollments increase.

Caret also says the system has a role in rebuilding Baltimore after the riots, by offering education opportunities for residents in the areas hardest hit by the riots. He also says the University of maryland Baltimore, one of the campuses in the system has served as a place where various groups seeking to improve the city have gathered to meet.